Table of Contents

Building Permit Guidelines (FL 553.792)

Overview

The State of Florida has adopted legislation relating to certain construction permits. This legislation establishes submission and performance deadlines for the city, as well as the applicant. If these deadlines are not met, possible penalties include permit denial and the need for resubmittal, or a reduction of certain permit fees. 

The permit application, as applied to the time deadlines identified in Florida Statutes s. 553.79(16) and s. 553.792, must consist of the completed application, including payments, attachments, drawings or other requirements necessary for the review and issuance of a permit. 

How does this apply to residential projects?

  • A building, roof, mechanical, electrical, gas, and/or plumbing permit application for a single-family residential dwelling less than 7,500 sq ft must receive a response with approval or comments within 30 business days after receiving the permit application unless the permit application fails to satisfy the Florida Building Code or the city’s laws or ordinances. The applicant also has the option to waive the deadlines by selecting the waiver option within ProjectDox.
  • A building, roof, mechanical, electrical, gas, and/or plumbing permit application for a single-family residential dwelling 7,500 sqft or more must receive a response with approval or comments within 60 business days after receiving the permit application unless the permit application fails to satisfy the Florida Building Code or the city’s laws or ordinances. The applicant also has the option to waive the deadlines by selecting the waiver option within ProjectDox.
  • The applicant has 10 business days after receiving the written notice to submit revisions to correct the permit application and failure to correct the application within 10 business days may result in a denial of the application unless the applicant agrees to a longer period in writing.
  • If the applicant submits revisions within 10 business days after receiving the written notice, the city has 10 business days after receiving such revisions to approve or deny the completed permit application.

How does this apply to commercial projects?

  • For commercial permits, the city will verify the application within 5 days and after completed application has paid the plan review deposit fee for, the city will have 60 days to approve or respond with comments. This is applicable to nonresidential buildings less than 25,000 square feet.
  • Within 60 business days after receiving a complete and sufficient application, for an applicant using a local government plans reviewer to obtain the following building permits: multifamily residential, not exceeding 50 units; site-plan approvals and subdivision plats not requiring public hearing or public notice; and lot grading and site alteration.
    • This does not apply to swimming pools, fences and low-voltage stickers.
  • The applicant has 10 business days after receiving the written notice to submit revisions to correct the permit application and that failure to correct the application within 10 business days may result in a denial of the application unless the applicant agrees to a longer period in writing.
  • If the applicant submits revisions within 10 business days after receiving the written notice, the city has 10 business days after receiving such revisions to approve or deny the completed permit application.

Definitions

  • Single-family residential dwelling: Includes all building permits applied for associated with a detached one- and two-family dwelling property. 
  • Completed application: Must be the completed application, including payments, attachments, drawings or other requirements necessary for the review and issuance of a permit. 
  • Denial, deny: Means refuse to issue. Denial of a completed application may require resubmittal of a new completed permit application.
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